Pakistan
No negotiations between Govt, TLP: Sheikh Rasheed
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is not negotiating with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
While addressing to media in Islamabad today, the minister stated that the government have been trying to reach an agreement with TLP for the past two months but they were not ready to compromise on their demands.
Referring to the proscribed organisation’s protests and blockage of roads across the country, Rasheed said 192 locations across the country had been sealed by the banned outfit, adding that when an outfit is banned, bank accounts and identity cards of its stakeholders got blocked by the government
Sheikh Rashid further said it was need of hour to ban the political party and whenever a party is blacklisted, all of its bank accounts and identity cards of its stakeholders are also frozen.
The interior minister revealed that the TLP has been served a notice of three days and has been granted a month's time to submit its response.
Rasheed further stated that TLP will be completely banned by April 20.
“The government might make a decision regarding disbanding the party,” he added.
Responding to a question, he said all motorways, GT road, and linking highways are open for traffic.
Talking about rising price in the country, the minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is taking steps to control inflation in the country and relief is being provided to the people through 'Sasta Bazars.'
“Relief is being provided on edible items in these bazars,” he stated.
On Monday, violent protests were sparked by the arrest of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) leader Saad Rizvi in Lahore on unspecified charges.
The protestors blocked several roads of major cities including Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi causing massive jams. Clashes between police and demonstrators were also reported from Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and several other cities where police officials fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesters, who fought back in some places by pelting stones at police officers.
Following that, government announced to ban Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The development came late on Saturday night on the same day that NACTA also added TLP to its list of proscribed outfits. Adding Saad Hussain Rizvi's name to Fourth Schedule will have serious consequences for the head of TLP, with all assets of the party being frozen.